Page 141 of Hunter's Revenge
“There were many times when I wanted to. Especially when he was alive. Then when he died. I was so broken because I’d just lost both my parents.”
“I can imagine. At that time, I hadn’t lost mine yet. When I did, I felt like the world ended, and I’ve been somewhere else ever since living someone else’s life.”
“Me too, except I was always someone else, never allowed to just be Gwen Navarro.” I’ve tried out the name many times before. Never out loud.
“It suits you, but I like Volkova better.” Her eyes twinkle and the light brightens her face.
“I do, too.” I bite the inside of my lip. “But in a few months’ time, I have to give it back.”
“Gwen, I don’t know a man alive who would do what Malik has done for you and be willing to let you go in afew months’ time.”
I don’t know any, either. “I know.”
“I mean, look at this place.” She throws her hands up in excitement. “We dreamed big of having a chain of stores in every major city. This is a start we never saw coming, and it’s a gift.”
“I know,” I repeat, sounding more dreamy.
“Good, because the fact that it’s here and not exactly in Wilmington says he wants you for longer than the next few months.”
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but it does look that way. “Staying together wasn’t part of the plan.”
“Plans change sometimes.”
“They do.”
* * *
Dru and I spend the rest of the day catching up and decorating the store I still can’t believe we have.
At nightfall, her car came to take her to her luxury apartment, and Yuri took me home.
Jeanne told me Malik is out on the terrace, so I make my way there.
I find him sitting on the balcony looking sexy as hell in a button-down shirt with the top buttons open and the sleeves rolled up. He’s smoking a cigar, and his hair is a boyish mess. Sebastian is resting by his feet and merely acknowledges me with a lift of his head.
Malik gives me a seductive grin, and his eyes take me in with lust-filled desire.
“I’m not sure where to begin to thank you.” Although the words come out, I’m completely choked up.
“Did you like it?”
“Of course, I did. I…” My voice trails off as I’m overwhelmed again by emotion. “You gave me my own store with my best friend inside, who has a penthouse apartment, a bodyguard of her own, and a hundred grand in her bank account. That’s…” Tears stream down my cheeks, and my voice catches in my throat.
I can’t talk. It feels great to cry over something good. It’s just that this is so much more than justgood.
Malik puts out the cigar and moves toward me.
“It’s a gift for someone who deserves it.”
I pull in a breath of the still night air. “I can’t thank you enough. There’s more to you than what meets the eye, Malik Volkova.”
“Is there, Malyshka?”
I nod, stand on the tips of my toes, and kiss his chin. “You say you don’t have a heart, but I can see yours.”
His eyes gleam with a sheen of purpose. They’re dark and unfathomable yet magnetic and compelling, as if he’s holding on to the meaning in my words.
“Maybe there’s a reason for that,” he finally says, breaking the stare.